In May 2010, the new King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) was opened in South Africa, an emerging economy for which integration into the world economy is an important objective. Being developed as part of a trade and investment hub, the new airport serves as a case for infrastructural mega-projects, of which many are increasingly built around the world to attract investors and generate economic growth. Their positive effects on society are however disputed. This article assesses the extent to which this new airport in Durban has directly benefited the local population in terms of employment generation and economic development.